The joint military “Gulf Shield Exercise 2026” concluded Saturday in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with the participation of the air forces and air-defense forces of all six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait), alongside the GCC Unified Military Command.
The exercise, which kicked off on 28 December 2025, forms part of efforts to enhance regional defense cooperation and raise combat readiness levels, the Saudi Ministry of Defense announced.
The exercise’s maneuvers included advanced operational scenarios featuring simulations of multidimensional air and missile threats, joint air maneuvers, and integrated field exercises, with a focus on improving operational integration, strengthening command-and-control systems, and enhancing operational efficiency within a joint operational environment.
“Gulf Shield 2026” seeks to develop qualitative military capabilities, bolster combat readiness to confront current, emerging, and future threats, and entrench the concepts of collective defense and flexible deterrence, thereby contributing to the region's security and stability.
Gulf Shield Exercise 2026 is regarded as one of the key pillars of military cooperation among GCC countries, reflecting ongoing efforts to enhance defense integration and strengthen the capacity to respond to regional and international challenges.
At the conclusion of the exercise, the participating forces carried out a joint aerial display that demonstrated a high level of harmony and operational integration, as well as their ability to plan and execute in accordance with unified operational concepts and advanced professional standards.
The Gulf Shield 2026 exercise is part of a series of joint Gulf military exercises that reflect the depth of the defense partnership among the GCC countries and affirm the readiness of their Armed Forces to address various challenges, thereby enhancing the security and stability of the region.
In November 2025, at the 46th GCC Summit in Bahrain, member states focused on finalizing a joint defensive air shield.
Security concerns have been rising since two attacks on Qatar last year: an Iranian missile strike on the US Al Udeid Airbase, and an Israeli strike on a Hamas meeting in Doha. These attacks highlighted the need for a unified defensive posture in the Gulf.
In the aftermath, Qatar moved to strengthen its external security umbrella, announcing an expanded defense agreement with the US, covering bases, coordination and training.
In September, Gulf defense officials met in Doha after Israel’s attack on Qatar and agreed to step up intelligence sharing, develop new missile warning systems and hold joint air defense drills.
GCC Secretary General Jasem Albudaiwi said ahead of the December summit that completing the long-discussed regional air defense network was a priority in light of the unprecedented attacks.
“What matters most, and what we hope to complete, is the joint defense shield that we are working on with our partners,” he said at the time.
“There are technical matters involved, but God willing, we will reach this goal in the near future,” he added.
